Jose Mourinho criticised in Spain over Diego Costa handling

Spanish journalist Alfredo Relano is the latest name to have a pop at Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho following his dispute over striker Diego Costa.

The Blues boss has been lamenting his striker’s struggles with fitness over the past week or so, conveniently just before the Spanish national team enter a busy Euro 2016 qualifying period.

La Roja take on Slovakia and Macedonia in the space of four days and have earmarked striker Diego Costa as the man to lead them to victory.

The 25-year-old has been in lethal form for the Blues this season, notching eight Premier League goals in just six appearances as well as appearing in the Champions League.

Mourinho, however, is adamant his player is battling to overcome a recurring injury and told the press in recent days that Diego Costa is unable to participate in three games a week.

Relano, a writer for Spanish publication AS, found Mourinho’s comments to be ironic given Costa’s recent playing time at Stamford Bridge and wrote in his opinion blog that it was another attempt to cause problems with the Spanish Football Federation.

'Regarding Diego Costa, this is another case of the gruesomeness of Mourinho, the extravagant coach', he wrote. 'He says that he cannot play three games in a week but he puts him in his squad for three games in a week.

'Diego Costa is for Chelsea and he is for the national team. If you have discomfort and it is in your best interests, you should speak, as Guardiola and Xavi once did with Del Bosque regarding his damaged Achilles tendon.

'Talking heads are better. The threats do not help, in fact it’s the opposite. The worst thing about Mourinho is that he seems to like problems more than solutions'.

Tom Thorogood

I'm a 27 year old language teacher and writer based out in Mexico with a passion for football and swimming. I like to focus on the top European Leagues, especially La Liga, as well as the footballing development in Central and South America. My favourite teams include Derby County, Barcelona and Jagaures de Chiapas.